"While patties abound in Caribbean diasporic strongholds like London, New York City and Miami, they’ve been more of a rarity here until recent years. In the mid-2010s, native San Franciscan Shani Jones launched Peaches Patties, an homage to her Jamaican mother and one of the city’s few Caribbean food businesses. And a pop-up called Tasty Tings, by Alyssa Magdaluyo, as well as a new Trinidadian restaurant in Oakland, Coco Breeze, entered the fray last year with their own takes on the patty. Even if you’ve never had a Jamaican patty before, I think you’d still recognize them on first glimpse. It seems that many humans possess an innate craving for dough-wrapped parcels, whether we’re talking about fried sesame balls, empanadas...
“It is a whole experience for all of your senses to enjoy,” said Lyons, who was laid off at the outset of the pandemic. “We understand that people feel isolated, they feel sad or distraught, or overwhelmed, not only with their health but with their circumstances. We just want to help people in that regard”. "Knowing that so many of their neighbors are struggling, Goodridge and Lyons also collect donations and distribute meals to local families experiencing homelessness. “We are trying to be part of this community and not just located in the community”, Goodridge said. Now, less than five months into their venture, regulars can’t seem to stay away."
" The Bay Area has been hungry for more Caribbean food options for some time now, which is why this new Trinidadian spot in East Oakland was such a welcome addition to the scene: Its curry roti wraps, fiery and unspeakably tender jerk chicken, and house-made ginger beer are the real deal."
" Warm, heart-tugging joy was also infused into every dish I ordered - pholourie (fried split pea dough and turmeric) with a side of chunky tamarind dip, a thick chicken roti stuffed with chickpeas and potatoes, and an herby, life-changing jerk chicken that slowly built heat on the tongue."
" The Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland got a true gem when Coco Breeze opened its doors on High Street this year. With the restaurant, Annabelle Goodridge (Ann) and her daughter Merissa Lyons bring authentic Caribbean food to the East Bay— especially recipes from their roots in Trinidad and Tobago, like roti with goat and potato curry, pholourie (split pea fritters), roti wraps, and pelau, the classic Trinidadian rice dish. Its entrance into the food scene make it the only Trinidadian eatery in the city — whether you live nearby or not, it’s worth a trip ASAP."
